Bush Morning Glory

Plant Type: shrub
Plant Height: 1-2 feet
Spread: 2-3 feet
Flower Color: white
Sun Exposure: Full sun

Bush Morning Glory (Convolvulus cneorum): A Drought-Tolerant Beauty for Mediterranean and Arid Gardens

Bush Morning Glory is an eye-catching, evergreen shrub known for its silvery foliage and funnel-shaped flowers. Native to the Mediterranean region, this plant is perfectly suited for warm, dry climates and low-water landscapes. It's prized in gardening circles for its combination of year-round interest and easy care, making it ideal for Mediterranean, xeriscape, and coastal garden designs.

Key Features of Bush Morning Glory

• Stunning Flowers: White to silvery-pink blooms resembling classic morning glories appear from spring to summer, creating a fresh contrast against its foliage. These flowers attract bees and butterflies, adding pollinator interest to the garden.
• Silvery Foliage: The lance-shaped, silver-gray leaves add a unique color contrast to green foliage in landscapes. Densely packed on its stems, the leaves form a compact, rounded shrub that maintains its color throughout the year, offering evergreen appeal.

Growing and Care Requirements

• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun, which enhances flower production and foliage color.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining soil and is tolerant of poor soil conditions typical in dry regions.
• Watering: Very drought-tolerant once established, needing only occasional water during prolonged dry periods.
• Maintenance: Minimal care required; occasional pruning after flowering encourages denser growth and maintains shape.

Landscaping Uses

• Ground Cover: Perfect for covering open, sunny areas in rock gardens and border plantings.
• Containers: Suits container gardening, where its compact growth habit can be appreciated up close.
• Mixed Borders: Adds a striking contrast to greenery and pairs well with other drought-tolerant plants, especially in Mediterranean-style gardens.

Summary

Bush Morning Glory is ideal for gardeners looking to add color, texture, and low-maintenance beauty to sunny, dry landscapes. With its silvery foliage, long-lasting blooms, and drought tolerance, this plant is a standout choice for year-round visual interest in Mediterranean and arid gardens.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): Bush Morning Glory

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and blooming)
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil (slightly acidic to neutral soil preferred)
• Spacing: Space plants 3-5 feet apart to allow for optimal growth and air circulation
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: Bush Morning Glory typically grows as a bushy, sprawling plant. While it doesn't need staking, it can benefit from some structure if grown as a vine.

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 2-3 days for the first 2-3 weeks to help establish the root system
• Watering Amount: Provide 1 inch of water per session to ensure deep watering around the roots

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: Bush Morning Glory is considered established after 3-4 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil and the plant begins showing consistent new growth

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 1.5-2 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall. Bush Morning Glory is drought-tolerant once established, but still benefits from occasional deep watering during dry winter periods.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 12-18 inches away from the base of the plant to ensure that water reaches the root zone and promotes deep root growth.
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 1-2 gallons per hour for slow, deep watering. This ensures water penetrates deeply into the soil and supports healthy root development.
• Number of Emitters: Place 1-2 emitters around the base of each plant to ensure even water distribution. Adjust the number of emitters as the plant matures.
• Irrigation Zone: Set up a dedicated irrigation zone for Bush Morning Glory and other drought-tolerant plants to ensure they receive the proper watering amount and frequency.
• Adjusting Frequency: In the summer, you may need to increase watering frequency to every 5-7 days to ensure the plant remains hydrated. In winter, reduce watering to every 3-4 weeks or adjust based on rainfall.

General Watering Tips:

• Soil Check: Check the soil moisture regularly. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
• Avoid Overwatering: Bush Morning Glory prefers well-drained soil and does not like sitting in water. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure the soil drains well and avoid standing water around the base.
• Mulch: Apply a thin layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Avoid placing mulch directly against the plant’s stem to prevent rot.